Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1011

Brielle couldn't help but get caught up in Aubree's infectious laughter, joining in with a chuckle of her own.

Aubree was in town for work, with only the mornings free to explore before she had to join her magazine crew for a photoshoot. Today, she was incognito, wearing sunglasses and a mask. After all, having strutted down the Oscars red carpet, she was a familiar face even abroad.

Standing beside her, Brielle felt a bit surreal. Her best friend had truly become an international star.

"So, how are things with Andrew?" Brielle asked.

Aubree was the one Andrew had heroically carried out of a burning building. Brielle had heard that Aubree had initially wanted to dash into the flames herself, but it was Andrew who ended up going in.

Brielle never denied that, when it came to relationships, Andrew was far from perfect. But his intentions towards Max were beyond reproach. That didn't mean she was going to encourage Aubree to forgive him, though. The hurt Aubree had suffered wasn't something even a life-saving act could easily erase. But Brielle was curious if there was even a hint of wavering in Aubree's resolve.

The smile vanished from Aubree's face as they stopped outside a Hermes store. "It's the same, Bri. I just can't stand having a man sleep beside me," Aubree said, her tone light. She picked up a purse nearby and slung it over her shoulder, twirling around.

"That night, when I wanted to run into the burning building, I realized I wasn't afraid of dying. I felt like a rotting peach, still fragrant on the outside but decayed within, down to the very core."

Brielle picked up a bag as well, feeling grateful that Aubree could now talk openly about these things instead of bearing them alone. Aubree seemed genuinely at ease, browsing through several bags and liking quite a few.

"It's not that I feel dirty," she continued. "It's more like I'm missing something, like a passion for the opposite sex, or a zest for life. But I do love acting. I enjoy portraying anyone except myself."

It meant she could love every character she played but not herself. She couldn't quite pinpoint this emotion, a sign she had yet to reconcile with her past.

Andrew had rushed into the fire to save Brielle, which moved Aubree, but that was it. She felt it wasn't a big deal, reasoning that if something had happened to Andrew's family she would have done the same. It made her realize that she loved Andrew more than he could ever love her back. Over the years, she had given much more than she received.

Brielle decided not to pursue the topic of Andrew any further. Close as they were, she didn't want to meddle in Aubree's relationship with him.

After shopping, Aubree was called away by her magazine crew, and Brielle decided to stay out a bit longer.

Unbeknownst to her, the coffee shop where they had just been had a customer who bought the cup she used for a hefty sum. While the staff found it shocking, they went ahead and sold it.

The man, wearing a mask, carefully

placed the cup in his collection

room, filled with items related to Brielle. Last night's shoe was encased in glass in the center of the room, topped with a tiny crown. He added the new cup to his wall, his gaze filled with obsession.

One day, he believed, they would be together. He had found the princess's glass slipper and would soon find an opportunity to bring the princess home.

The door opened, and a flash of menace crossed his eyes. "Get out."

"Ha, seems like you, the stand-in, have gotten too immersed. It's your boss who's obsessed with Brielle, not you, Have you confused your feelings for her? Maybe when you hypnotized Brielle, you hypnotized yourself too? That would be a failure."

""Get lost."

"Insulting me won't help. You only dare fantasize about her from the shadows. Better hide those feelings well. If your boss finds out, with his methods, you won't have a bone left." The room quickly returned to silence. The man left, leaving behind his unrequited love shrouded in the shadows.